The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-10-29
THE uOTHER'S REQUEST.

"Henry, are you going to the will lager"
 "Yes Pm bound that way"
 "Will you take the trouble to turn in and do an errand for me with Mrs. Butler?"
 "What' to old Nancy's?"
 "Yes."
 "Good gracious; thatll take me half a mile out of my way
 "No, no, Henry not more than hundred yards"
 "Well, that's bother. What d'you have errands for? I'd like to get off once in my life without being saddled with other peoples busiuess.'
 Well, well, my son, if the trouble is too great l will wait. You need not bother"
 "Oh, don't try on that. Of course Pll go, but it's a nuisance all the seme. Whats the errand?"
 ''l would like to have Mrs. Butler come up here tomorrow afternoon and help me through the evening if she can"
 "Eh! Whats up? D'you expect company? What in the world are you coloring so for? Have startled you?"
 "No, no, Henry. was thinking. It was nothing of importance.
 "But you didn't tell me if you cx- pect company to-morrow."
 "Ies, my son, do. expect Ella Mason will be here, and she may have friend with her"
 The face of the sun changed in- stantly.
 The look of sourness and crabbed- ness gave place to an expression of pleasant surprise, and, with a pro- longed whistle, he turned away.
 At a short distance he looked back over his shoulder and called out "Don't fret, mother; 1 won't forget Mrs. Butler"
 And with that he was gone.
 He was handsome young fellow, was Henry Stevens, tall and strong, brown-haired and gray eyed, with a face ruddy and healthful and superior to the average ot male faces in it's manly beauty.
 There were defects, however.
 The eyes were not prominent, and they were too near together, and there was about the lips a touch of harsh- ness, almost of cruelty.
 Yet he was a tavorite in society, where only his best side was seen.
 His age was two and twenty.
 The mother, Mrs. Mary Stevens, was a widow, creeping on towards three score, mild faced, patient woman, with heart as tender and true as hu man heart ever was.
 The cottage in which she lived was her own, left to her by her husband, and she had a few hundred pounds in bank.
 Henry was not her only son.
 He was the youngest-her baby, she had called him until he had forbidden it-and was preparing for the bar.
 He expected to pass his final exam ination within month.
 "Hallo, mother!"
 An! 1t was the voice of her eldest son, Jack, and pretty soon he came in sight.
 He was three years older than Henry, and of different fibre.
 He was not quite so tall, but broad CT of shoulder, heavier, and stouter in every way.
 His hair was of an auburn color his brother called it "red"-and his eyes, full, large and clear as crystal, were blue--a deep, prominent blue. like the precious sapphire.
 His face would not, at first sight, be called handsome; but it was a good face, an honest, loyal, trustfal face 1; ah, and as one came to know it, and to know the man, it became truly hand. some in it's way.
 Of course he had none of the stat uesque, Apollo like beauty that char acterized the face of his brother.
 He had learned the carpenters trade, and was now at the age of twenty-five, just entering into busi- ness on his own account as builder.
 "Is there anything I can do for you at the viilage?" the eldest son asked, as he come near to where his mother stood on the doorstep.
 "Yes, Jack, if it would not be too